Headgear item with a hat structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable

ABSTRACT

A headgear item which may be used during horseriding, with a hat structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable, and with a brim protruding at least over part of a circumference of the hat structure, and with an impact damping shell surrounding a head-conforming shape. A lower side of the brim is pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape and covers a lower edge of the impact damping shell.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of German Application No. 10 2011 080 464.1, filed Aug. 4, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a headgear item with a hat structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable, and with a brim protruding at least over part of a circumference of the hat structure, and with an impact damping shell surrounding a head-conforming shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A headgear item of this type is known from US 2008/0060117 A1. The known headgear item has a protective helmet with an impact damping shell, on the outside of which a hat structure having a completely encircling brim is placed and is fixedly connected to the outer shell of the protective helmet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a headgear item of the type mentioned at the beginning, said headgear item combining an effective head protection function with an attractive appearance.

This object is achieved in that a lower side of the brim is pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape and covers a lower edge of the impact damping shell. By means of the solution according to the invention, the brim conceals a lower edge of the impact damping shell surrounding the head-conforming shape. The head protection function is obtained to the full extent by means of the impact damping shell. Owing to the fact that the brim is pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape, the headgear item imparts the visual impression of an appropriate hat.

According to the invention, either the brim as a whole can be pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape, or merely a covering forming the lower side or a coating forming the lower side of the brim. The extending of the lower side of the brim as far as the head-conforming shape means that someone looking obliquely from below at the headgear item sitting on a wearer's head gains the impression that the lower side of the brim or the entire brim runs from the outside inward as far as the head contour of the wearer. The headgear item according to the invention preferably has a hat structure with a completely encircling brim. However, the invention also includes a headgear item with a hat structure, in which the brim protrudes outward merely over part of the circumference of the hat structure (in particular military or police hat with a substantial, dimensionally stable protective brim protruding forward).

The solution according to the invention is suitable in a particularly advantageous manner for headgear items which, on account of the activity of the wearers thereof, firstly have to carry out a head protection function and, secondly, by means of their appearance, provide a characteristic indication of the activity carried out by the wearer. The solution according to the invention is usable particularly advantageously in horseriding, preferably in Western-style riding or in dressage. In dressage, the riders have hitherto ridden in headgear items containing cylinders which have no head protection function whatsoever. In Western-style riding, the riders ride in cowboy hats which likewise have no head protection function whatsoever. The solution according to the invention can to this extent combine the appearance of a typical dressage cylinder or of a typical cowboy hat with a head protection function. The solution according to the invention is also suitable for headgear items of uniforms which, in addition to the characteristic appearance appropriate to the uniform, are also intended to comprise a head protection function. Accordingly, the wearer's head is protected from injury by means of the solution according to the invention. At the same time, it nevertheless serves in a suitable manner as a decoration or characteristic signaling the association of the wearer with a certain group of people, whether a certain riding group, a professional group or a leisure group.

In a refinement of the invention, the hat structure is matched at least substantially to a head-conforming shape at least over part of the height thereof. This refinement is based on the finding that the aesthetic perception of a hat matching a wearer's head is linked with how the contour of the hat structure behaves with respect to the contour of the wearer's head. The hat structure of a matching hat is aligned at least approximately with—depending on the angle of view from the front, from the rear or from the side—lateral, front or rear flanks of the head-conforming shape of the wearer. A front or rear view of the head is particularly preferably selected for the head-conforming shape according to the present refinement. For the present refinement, it suffices if an aligned impression of the hat structure with the head-conforming shape is found from an individual direction of view of the head-conforming shape. The wording concerning the fact that the head structure is intended to be aligned at least substantially with the head-conforming shape means that, for the corresponding part of the hat structure, an identical aligning behavior is intended to take place as would be the case in a conventional hat without an additional protective function. The wording concerned with the fact that the hat structure is intended to be aligned with the head-conforming shape at least over part of the height thereof means that, starting from the brim as far as the tip of the hat structure, at least one third, preferably half, of the height is intended to correspond in the manner of a hat adapted to a head-conforming shape without an additional protective function. The term of matching the hat structure to the head-conforming shape means that the hat structure is designed over the corresponding part of the height thereof in the same manner as a hat construction without an additional head protection function, which hat is matched in terms of the matching size thereof to the head of a corresponding wearer. This means that a lower visible extension of the hat structure has to be positioned approximately level with the alignment of the side flanks of the head-conforming shape. If the hat structure is substantially cylindrical, the hat structure is substantially aligned with the head-conforming shape not merely over a small region of the height thereof but rather over the entire visible height thereof. In the case of a hat structure tapering upward conically or in another manner, only the lower visible extension is aligned with the head-conforming shape. The tapering which is correspondingly conical, semispherical, pyramid-shaped or designed in another manner takes place in an upwardly adjoining manner.

In a further refinement of the invention, the impact damping shell has a forehead ring section in the region of the head-conforming shape having a full impact damping function, a transition ring section having a reduced impact damping function, and a head section which upwardly adjoins the transition section and has a reduced or full impact damping function. A different impact damping function is therefore provided over the height of the head of a corresponding human wearer of the headgear item. This results from the fact that, in the transition ring section, the impact damping shell has to be of narrow design in order to permit the extension of the visible hat structure, which is matched to the head-conforming shape, in said region. In another refinement, the transition ring section is arranged in the region of an extension of the hat structure, which extension is visible from the outside and from which the hat structure continues upward, at least substantially matched to the head-conforming shape. The transition ring section is preferably formed by an encircling step between the lower forehead ring section and the upper head section. The forehead ring section surrounds the wearer's head level with a forehead region of the head.

In a further refinement of the invention, the transition ring section is assigned additional impact protection means which are integrated in the region of the transition ring section or overlap the transition ring section on the outside. The impact protection means at least partially make up for the impact damping function, which is reduced by the transition ring section itself, again. By being integrated in the region of the transition section, the impact protection means are integrated in the impact damping shell.

The individual sections of the impact damping shell are preferably formed by an energy-absorbing foam material, such as, in particular, expanded polystyrene, optionally combined with at least one hard shell on the outer or inner circumference.

In a further refinement of the invention, the impact protection means comprise energy distribution elements which are effective in a bridge-like manner and are arranged in such a manner that they transmit impact energy to the forehead ring section and/or the head section of the impact damping shell. As a result, the impact energy striking against the transition ring section is at least partially transmitted to those sections of the impact damping shell which are located thereabove and/or therebelow, thus resulting in an evening out of the energy absorption.

In a further refinement of the invention, the impact protection means have at least one impact damping ring which is arranged on the outside of the transition ring section and, in particular, has the appearance of a hat string. An impact damping ring of this type can be placed into an annular step formed by the transition ring section. The optical impression of a hat string conceals the additional impact damping function which the corresponding impact damping ring has.

In a further refinement of the invention, the impact damping shell is of multi-part construction. The corresponding parts or sections of the impact damping shell may be connected to one another releasably or non-releasably.

In a further refinement of the invention, the forehead ring section is designed as a ring which is placed on to the outside of the hat structure and, in particular on the outside, is in the form of a hat band. The placing of the impact-damping forehead ring section onto the outside of the hat structure ensures that the hat structure fits snugly against the head-conforming shape. The forehead ring section which is placed on to the outside takes over the desired head protection function for the head of the wearer of the headgear item. The advantageous design of the ring on the outside as a hat band visually conceals the impact damping and protective function of the forehead ring section.

In a further refinement of the invention, the head section of the impact damping shell runs within the hat structure and, at least over part of the height of the hat structure, adjoins an inner contour of the hat structure in a flush and planar manner. Accordingly, the head section of the impact damping shell can at least partially fill the hat structure from the inside with impact-damping material. By this means, in addition to good dimensional stability of the hat structure, a further improved protective function for a wearer's head is obtained.

In a further refinement of the invention, the head section and the forehead ring section are provided on the end regions thereof which are adjacent to the transition ring section with energy-absorbing thickened portions. This gives rise, in the case of planar impact loads, to impact absorbing functions by the thickened portions which relieve the thinner and less energy-absorbing transition ring section of load. In the case of pointed, substantially spot-shaped impact loads level with the reduced energy-absorbing transition ring section, said thickened portions are unable to provide any additional protection. For such spot-type impact loads level with the transition ring section, the energy absorption elements which are effective in the manner of a bridge and transmit the spot-type impact loads occurring to those sections of the impact damping shell which are located thereabove and therebelow are advantageous.

In a further refinement of the invention, at least one additional protective module is provided, said protective module being necessary for obtaining a predetermined protective helmet standard having a higher degree of protection for the headgear item, and being fixedly connectable to the impact damping shell and/or to the hat structure and/or to the brim. This produces the possibility of a modular structure for the protective function of the headgear item. Depending on which protective helmet standard the headgear item has to meet, use may merely be made of a basic version, or at least one additional protective module may be fitted on to said basic version—depending on the requirements of the protective helmet standard. The fixed connection between the at least one additional protective module and the impact damping shell and/or the hat structure and/or the brim may be provided as a releasable or non-releasable connection. In addition, the connection can advantageously be brought about without a tool and in a frictional or form-fitting or integrally bonded manner. The basic version is intended to have at least one impact damping shell provided with a forehead ring section and a head section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description below of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically, in a sectional illustration from a front side, a first embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows, in the same perspective as FIG. 1, a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows, in the same perspective as FIGS. 1 and 2, a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention,

FIG. 3 a shows a further embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 3,

FIG. 4 shows, in an enlarged illustration, an embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention similar to FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 shows, in a sectioned schematic illustration, a detail of a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention similar to FIGS. 2 and 4,

FIG. 6 shows schematically a section of a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention with energy distribution elements effective in the manner of a bridge,

FIG. 7 shows, in an enlarged perspective illustration, a detail of a headgear item similar to FIG. 6 with an energy distribution element which is effective in the manner of a bridge and is in the form of a profile strip,

FIG. 8 shows a further energy distribution element which is effective in the manner of a bridge, in the form of a supporting bracket,

FIG. 9 shows schematically a headgear item similar to FIG. 4 with two alternatives of energy distribution elements spatially integrated into the impact damping shell,

FIG. 10 shows an energy distribution element which bears against the outside of the hat structure and has a function similar to FIGS. 6 to 9,

FIG. 11 shows schematically a section through a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention with ventilation profilings in the region of the head section of the impact damping shell,

FIG. 12 shows schematically a detail of a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention with ventilation openings and at least one energy distribution element which is effective in the manner of a bridge in the region of the outer contour of the hat structure,

FIG. 13 shows a side view of an embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention,

FIG. 14 shows the hat-shaped headgear item according to FIG. 13 with an additionally fastened protective module,

FIG. 15 shows schematically an impact damping shell for the headgear item according to FIGS. 13 and 14 with two additional energy-absorbing protective modules which are fitted on to the impact damping shell at the top and bottom, and

FIG. 16 shows, in a sectional illustration, the profiled joining of the lower protective module on to a lower edge of the impact damping shell according to FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 16 show a number of embodiments of headgear items according to the invention having an impact-damping head protection function, said headgear items each comprising a hat structure with an encircling brim in addition to a single- or multi-part impact damping shell for the head protection function.

FIG. 1 shows a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, in which a headgear item 1 is provided with an impact damping shell 4 for a head K of a human wearer. The impact damping shell 4 is covered in a planar manner by a hat structure 3 which is fitted on to the outside of the impact damping shell 4 and follows the outer contour of the impact damping shell 4. In the region of a lower edge of the hat structure 3, the hat structure 3 is adjoined by an encircling brim 2 which protrudes outward from the head K. The brim 2 is pulled inward via a lower edge of the impact damping shell 4 as far as a head-conforming shape of the head K such that the brim 2 covers the edge of the impact damping shell 4. The brim 2 is connected in a planar and fixed manner to the lower edge of the impact damping shell 4, in particular by an integrally bonded connection.

In comparison to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the headgear item 1 a has, in addition to an impact damping shell 4 a and an encircling brim 2 a, also a hat structure 3 a which protrudes upward relative to the impact damping shell 4 a. In order, despite the head protection function of the impact damping shell 4 a, to provide the headgear item 1 a with the visual impression of an appropriate hat, the headgear item 1 a is designed as follows: the impact damping shell 4 a has, in a lower region, an encircling forehead ring section 5 a which runs on the front side over a forehead region of the head K of the human wearer of the headgear item 1 a and is pulled around the head K therefrom. A lower edge of the forehead ring section 5 a of the impact damping shell 4 a is covered by an encircling brim 2 a which is continued in the region of a lower edge of an inner contour of the impact damping shell 4 a by a welding band (not denoted specifically). The forehead ring section is adjoined by an encircling transition section 7 a which merges upward into a head section 6 a of the impact damping shell 4 a. The transition section 7 a forms an inwardly offset annular step by means of which the impact damping shell 4 a is of narrower design in the transition section 7 a. As a result, the transition section 7 a has a reduced impact damping function by comparison to the forehead ring section 5 a. The headgear item 1 a illustrated in FIG. 2 has a head section 6 a which upwardly adjoins the transition section 7 a and completely covers the upper region of the head K. According to the illustration in FIG. 2, the head region 6 a has an impact damping function which is reduced to the same extent as the transition section 7 a. This is because a thickness of the head section 6 a approximately corresponds to a thickness of the transition section 7 a and is reduced in comparison to the thickness of the forehead ring section 5 a.

All of the impact damping shells which are described in a single- or multi-part structure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 have a material structure having highly energy-absorbing properties. A plastics foam material, in particular expanded polystyrene (EPS), is particularly preferably used. The impact damping shells may additionally also be provided on the outside and/or inside with coatings or thin-walled supporting shells.

In the region of the transition section 7 a, the outside of the impact damping shell 4 a is adjoined by a hat structure 3 a, the outer contour of which, in a frontal view according to FIG. 2, is matched to the head-conforming shape of the head K, said head-conforming shape being predetermined in the region of the welding band. It can be seen with reference to FIG. 2 that tangents T which are applied laterally to the contour of the head K in the region of the head-conforming shape and are illustrated by chain-dotted lines are approximately aligned with the outer contour of the hat structure 3. Said tangents T correspond to the side flanks of the head-conforming shape. As a result, when the headgear item 1 a according to the illustration in FIG. 2 is viewed from the front, the impression is imparted of a hat structure 3 a matching the head K. The hat structure extends from the transition section 7 a upward over more than half of the entire height of the headgear item 1 a. The hat structure 3 a is constructed in a dimensionally stable manner from a suitable textile material, in particular a felt material, and is fixedly connected in an encircling manner in the region of the transition ring section 7 a to the impact damping shell 4 a. The forehead ring section 5 a, which is of thicker design, is offset radially outward with respect to the hat structure 3 a in relation to a head center axis in such a manner that the visual appearance of a hat band belonging to the hat structure 3 a is produced. For this purpose, the forehead ring section 5 a is colored appropriately on the outside or—in a manner not illustrated specifically—is covered with a suitable textile material which is matched to the hat structure 3 a and the brim 2 a in the manner of a hat band. The brim 2 a is preferably composed of the same textile material as the hat structure 3 a.

In all of the embodiments, the brim 2 to 2 k in each case is constructed from a material matched to the associated hat structure 3 to 3 k. The corresponding material may be of single- or multi-layered design and has sufficient dimensional stability in order to ensure that the brim 2 to 2 k protrudes outward in a stable manner. The brim 2 to 2 k is preferably composed of textile material or of leather.

In the case of the headgear item 1 b according to FIG. 3, the impact damping shell 4 b is of multi-part construction. In comparison to the headgear item 1 a according to FIG. 2, the headgear item 1 b has some substantial differences. Firstly, the impact damping shell 4 b is provided on the inside, i.e. in the region of the head contour, with a dimensionally stable, thin supporting shell 8 in addition to the impact damping properties. A lower edge region of the supporting shell 8 is adjoined by the outwardly protruding brim 2 b which is of encircling design. In the region of the head-conforming shape, the lower edge region of the supporting shell 8 is provided with a welding band 10 which adjoins the brim 2 b, which is pulled inwards as far as the head-conforming shape.

In order to avoid repetitions, the features of the headgear item 1 to 1 k, which were already present in at least one of the preceding embodiments and have been described there, are no longer explained in each case in the various embodiments which are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the impact damping shell 4 b has a head section 6 b which is placed onto the outside of the supporting shell 8 and is fixedly connected thereto. The head section 6 b, which is pulled downward as far as the brim 2 b, partially fills the inside of a dimensionally stable hat structure 3 b.

The hat structure 3 b may be formed integrally with the brim 2 b, according to FIG. 3 a. In such an embodiment according to the invention, a commercially available headgear item, in particular in the form of a cowboy hat or a cylinder, can be provided with a hat structure 3 b′ and an integrally formed brim 2 b′, to which outside and inside impact damping shells 4 b′ are assigned corresponding to the illustration according to FIG. 3 a. Otherwise, the headgear item according to FIG. 3 a is constructed in a manner corresponding to the embodiment according to FIG. 3, and therefore reference is made to the description for FIG. 3 regarding the supplementary disclosure.

The forehead ring section 5 b of the impact damping shell 4 b is arranged separately from the head section 6 b and is designed as a separate ring which encloses a lower region of the hat structure 3 b on the outside. The forehead ring section 5 b sits flush on the brim 2 b and is inwardly fixedly connected to the hat structure 3 b and the supporting shell 8. The forehead ring section 5 b is formed from energy-absorbing material analogously to the material of the head section 6 b. The head section 6 b is pulled downward as far as the height of the forehead ring section 5 b and is of very narrow design in this region, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 3. This serves to match the lateral contour of the hat structure 3 b to the head-conforming shape and thus to impart the impression that the hat structure 3 b is designed so as to match the head K. The forehead ring section 5 b can be covered on the outside with a textile material 9 in order, analogously to FIG. 2 for the forehead ring section 5 b, to impart the visual impression of a hat band.

Owing to the fact that the head section 6 b, over part of the height thereof, follows the inner contour of the hat structure 3 b in a flush manner, the head section 6 b forms thickened regions which take on an additional impact damping function. The forehead ring section 5 b is likewise of sufficiently thick design and designed to be energy-absorbing. As a result, the head section 6 b and the forehead ring section 5 b form a sufficient impact damping function for the head K. In a transition ring section 7 b, which is fitted in the region of an upper edge of the forehead ring section 5 b and is provided below the head section 6 b, the impact damping function is reduced, since the outer contour of the headgear item 1 b here has to be kept narrower in order to enable the hat structure 3 b to match the head-conforming shape.

In the case of the headgear item 1 c according to FIG. 4, a single-part impact damping shell 4 c is provided, said impact damping shell being covered in the lower edge region thereof by a brim 2 c which encircles the headgear item 1 c. A welding band 10 adjoins the impact damping shell 4 c on the inside. The impact damping shell 4 c is also provided with a forehead ring section 5 c, a narrower transition ring section 7 c and a head section 6 c which upwardly adjoins the transition section 7 c. In the region of the narrower transition ring section 7 c, the hat structure 3 c is fitted in such a manner that the lateral outer contour thereof is substantially aligned with the head-conforming shape. The hat structure 3 c is additionally supported on the inside by a thickened portion 11 of the head section 6 c. The forehead ring section 5 c also has a thickened portion 12 which is provided on an upper edge of the forehead ring section 5. Also in the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the forehead ring section 5 c merges by means of an annular step into the transition ring section 7 c and subsequently into the head section 6 c. In order for said transition ring section 7 which is of narrower design and accordingly has lower energy-absorbing properties, nevertheless to achieve sufficient impact damping protection, the transition ring section 7 c is assigned energy distribution elements 13 which are integrated as dimensionally stable bridges in the energy-absorbing material of the impact damping shell 4 c and divert an impact energy occurring, for example, into the downwardly and upwardly adjoining sections of the impact damping shell 4 c that are of thicker design. In addition, an energy-absorbing ring 14, which is composed of a suitable plastics material, in particular of silicone, can be placed on the outside into the annular step shoulder formed by the transition ring section 7 c. Said ring 14 may bring about an additional impact damping function at the height of the transition ring section 7 c.

The headgear item 1 d according to FIG. 5 corresponds in terms of the functional structure thereof to the headgear item 1 c according to FIG. 4. A substantial difference in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 is that the hat structure 3 d is designed in the manner of a cylinder. The headgear item 1 d can accordingly be used as a cylinder for dressage, wherein the cylinder takes on the additional head protection function already described above.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, various types of energy distribution elements 15, 15′, 15″, 15′″, 16, which have the same function as the energy distribution elements 13 according to FIGS. 4 and 5, are provided for corresponding headgear items 1 e, 1 f, 1 g. All of the energy distribution elements with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10 have a bridge function in order to distribute impact energy, which could impact on the corresponding transition ring section 7 e, 7 f, to the adjacent sections having a higher impact damping function, namely to the upper head section 6 e, 6 f and the lower forehead ring section 5 e, 5 f, 5 g. The various embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 10 differ in that, in the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 8, which are merely illustrated schematically, the impact energy is already diverted on the outside prior to the impact of the impact on the transition ring section 7 e. For this purpose, the corresponding bridge-shaped energy distribution elements 15, 15′ are placed on to the outside of the hat structure. The energy distribution elements 15 are designed as bracket-shaped bridges which are distributed in a repeated design over the circumference of the hat structure. Each bridge body 15 has large-capacity supporting surfaces in the region of the head section 6 e and of the forehead ring section 5 e. The energy distribution element 15′ is designed as a grid-type profile ring which is supported in a convexly curved manner level with the transition ring section 7 e and is fixedly connected to the hat structure. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 9, the headgear item 1 f has two schematically illustrated alternatives of energy distribution elements 15″ and 15′″, which are integrated into the impact damping shell 4 f. In this case, only one of the two alternatives is used in an impact damping shell 4 f. Two alternatives are therefore integrated in the impact damping shell 4 f according to FIG. 9, of which only one will actually be used. Each of the two energy distribution elements 15″, 15′″ is of annular design in each case, and therefore the distribution of the impact energy at the height of the transition ring section 7 f is ensured in an encircling manner over the entire circumference of the head. The energy distribution element 15″ is of step-like design and follows the outer contour of the hat structure in a flush manner. The energy distribution element 15′″ has a convex cross section and follows an inner contour of the impact damping shell 4 f in an approximately parallel manner.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, an annular energy distribution element 16 is placed on to the outside of the impact damping shell and follows the outer contour of the hat structure and of the impact damping shell in a flush manner in the region of the forehead ring section 5 g and of the step shoulder of the transition ring section 7 g.

In the embodiments according to FIGS. 11 and 12, the headgear items 1 h and 1 i are provided in the region of the impact damping shells thereof with additional ventilation ducts 17. The particular hat structure 3 h, 3 i is provided with ventilation openings 18 in order to conduct the air entering the interior of the hat structure 3 h, 3 i through the impact damping shell to the outside. Otherwise, the structure of the headgear items 1 h and 1 i corresponds at least to one of the embodiments already described previously. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 12, the headgear item 1 i additionally has an outer, thin-walled supporting ring 16 which has the function of an energy distribution ring 16 according to FIG. 10. The supporting ring 16 is of dimensionally stable and impact-resistant design and extends over the outer contour of the forehead ring section 5 i, the transition ring section 7 i and part of the height of the head section 6 i.

The head structure 3 i is fitted at the height of the transition ring section 7 i. The step shoulder in the region of the transition ring section 7 i is additionally filled on the outside by a damping ring 14 which can be designed visually in the manner of a hat string. In order to improve the wearing comfort, the impact damping shell of the headgear item 1 i is additionally provided on the inside with padding 19 in the embodiment according to FIG. 12.

A modular structure of a headgear item 1 k is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. According to the illustration as per FIG. 13, the headgear item 1 k forms a hat with a wide encircling brim 2 k, a hat band 5 k and a hat structure 3 k. On the inside, the hat is provided with an impact damping shell which is formed by a forehead ring section 5 k, which forms the hat band, and a head section 6 k. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 15, the hat structure 3 k is placed in a simple manner from above on to the impact damping shell and is connected thereto. The brim 2 k is also arranged releasably with respect to the impact damping shell and can be fixed thereon or separated therefrom via suitable connecting means. The forehead ring section 5 k can be covered with a textile material in the manner of a hat band (FIG. 14).

In such embodiments of the invention according to FIGS. 13 to 16, brims and hat structures are provided in different designs which may be interchanged in a modular manner depending on the intended purpose. It is thus possible to design different headgear items which will all have the same protective functions, without this being recognizable from the outside. For this purpose, corresponding brim modules and/or hat structure modules are connectable releasably to corresponding impact damping shells which comprise forehead ring sections and head sections. In all of the embodiments according to FIGS. 13 to 16, corresponding connecting means can be operated in particular without a tool. Touch and close fastening tapes or strips, press studs or the like are provided as suitable connecting means.

In order to be able to meet different degrees of protection of corresponding protection standards, the impact damping shell may be supplemented by a back of head protector 20. In addition, a chin strap 21 may also be provided. Both the back of head protector 20 and the chin strap 21 form additional protective modules which can be joined on to the existing impact damping shell and can be connected fixedly thereto. It can be seen with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 how the back of head protector 20 can be inserted by means of a corresponding web profiling into a corresponding groove profiling in a lower edge of the impact damping shell in the region of the forehead ring section 5 k. The back of head protector 20 can be connected to the lower side of the forehead ring section 5 k in an integrally bonded, frictional or form-fitting manner or as a combination of said connections. The protective module in the form of the back of head protector 20 is preferably joined releasably on to the lower side of the impact damping shell. As a result, the impact damping shell can be supplemented, or not, by an additional protective function, depending on requirements. Provision is also made to connect the protective module in the form of the chin strap 21 releasably to the impact damping shell in order, if the need arises, to be able to obtain a higher degree of protection, or not, in this case too. 

1. A headgear item with a hat structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable, and with a brim protruding at least over part of a circumference of the hat structure, and with an impact damping shell surrounding a head-conforming shape, wherein a lower side of the brim is pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape and covers a lower edge of the impact damping shell.
 2. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hat structure is at least substantially matched to a head-conforming shape at least over part of the height thereof.
 3. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact damping shell has a forehead ring section in the region of the head-conforming shape having a full impact damping function, a transition ring section having a reduced impact damping function, and a head section which upwardly adjoins the transition ring section and has a reduced or full impact damping function.
 4. The headgear item as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transition ring section is arranged in the region of an extension of the hat structure, which extension is visible from the outside and from which the hat structure continues upward in a manner at least substantially matched to the head-conforming shape.
 5. The headgear item as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transition ring section is assigned additional impact protection means which are integrated in the impact damping shell or overlap the transition ring section on the outside.
 6. The headgear item as claimed in claim 5, wherein the impact protection means comprise energy distribution elements which are effective in a bridge-like manner and are arranged in such a manner that they transmit impact energy to the forehead ring section and/or to the head section of the impact damping shell.
 7. The headgear item as claimed in claim 5, wherein the impact protection means have at least one elastic impact damping ring which is arranged on the outside of the transition ring section and, in particular, has the appearance of a hat string.
 8. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact damping shell is of multi-part construction.
 9. The headgear item as claimed in claim 8, wherein the forehead ring section is designed as a ring which is placed on to the outside of the hat structure and, in particular on the outside, is in the form of a hat band.
 10. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head section of the impact damping shell runs within the hat structure and, at least over part of the height of the hat structure, adjoins an inner contour of the hat structure in a flush and planar manner.
 11. The headgear item as claimed in claim 10, wherein the head section and the forehead ring section are provided with energy-absorbing thickened portions on the end regions thereof which are adjacent to the transition ring section.
 12. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one additional protection module is provided, said protection module being necessary for obtaining a predetermined protective helmet standard having a greater degree of protection for the headgear item, and which is fixedly connectable to the impact damping shell and/or to the hat structure and/or to the rim. 